Automatic lock-switch.



W. R. 00X.

AUTOMATIC LOOK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.4,1910.

W. R. COX. AUTOMATIG Loox SWITCH.

r APPLIUATION FILED LUGA, 1910. 1,015,300,v Patented Jan. 23,1912.

i: SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Milne-55, 1u-inflar* 71% 5M WEEE/WRC@ QW/ww. x 'by 57mm with the practical incorporation therewith p prises a so-called cap or case C adapted to be described.

WARREN R.' COX, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC L0CK-SVVlUllGI-lf.

noiaeoo. Application flied August 4,

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented aan. 2a, i912. 910. Serial No. 575,451.

To all whom it may concern: n,

Be it known that l, WARREN R. Cox, citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Chio, have yinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Lock- Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an automatic lock switch for sparkcoils in automobile engines, and the object of the invention is to provide means in and through the usual switch which will eiiectually lock the same out of possible circuit with either the battery or the magneto, and wherein the operator has exclusive control of the device by means of a key by which the locking is effected and which he can remove and take away with hiin, thus locking the electric circuit open. ln this connection it isto be understood that l come to the usual electrical devices employed in automobiles for sparking purposes and in which there generally is a battery and a magneto and a switch for making contact with either in the spark circuit. My invention is an adaptation to these instrumentalities and is planned to make the least possible change in such devices consistent of the safety locking mechanism in which my invention consists.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a cross section of the device corresponding substantially to line D D, Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 is a cross section corresponding to line A-A, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section of the insulated portion of the key and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the part or member described asA the barrel in which the key operates. Fig. 5 is a frontelevation of the device, and Fig. 6 is a cross section corresponding in the main to line F-F, Figs. l and 5. Fig. 7 is a cross section of the housing and barrel corresponding to line C-C, Fig. 2, and Fig. 8 is a cross-section corresponding to line E-E, Fig. 2, excepting that this section relates particularly to the two inner portions of the device indicated by 5 and 17 respectively as hereinafter fully To these ends the construction shown comsecured by bolts or screws or other means to the base Cr, which, presumably, is a vertical portion in front-of the operators seat and'where the switching mechanism'is within convenient reach, as usual. The screws 19 serve this purpose. provided with a relatively large opening through its center in which a housing 1 is located and which carries a rotatable barrel 2. Said housing and barrel are locked to- Tlihe said case or cap is cof gether in said casing so that neither can be engage against a flat ring c interposed 'between said head and the case C whereinl said ring is recessed. The said housing abuts against this ring, and thus while flange b contines the housing the said ring and head 26 confine said barrel and the parts are irremovably locked in the case except by removal of the said case. The nature and purpose of these parts will be more clearly apprehended when it is understood that I ein-` ploy something of the so-called tumbler lock l p principle in my switch locking mechanism and in which the key 3 is the controlling factor. 'llhat is, l use. what is essentially a tumbler lock mechanism and key combined with switch l for the current, and which is so arranged in respect to the battery contacts 8 and 9 and the magneto contacts 10 and 11, respectively, that the said switch must occupy a neutral or open position between saidA contacts and hence'be out of circuit when the key is inserted or removed. And, having a tumbler key for this purpose with tumblers and plungers to correspond, no other key will answer to open the device and hence absolute security is obtained against operation of the machine' by others and the common experience of having machines stolen on the streets and elsewhere is prevented. To these ends the said barrel 4is provided .with an opening through its center adapted to receive the key and with a series of holes a in a row through itswall entering said key opening.v These holes are preferably square or angular in rcross -section so as to always keep the tumblers 24; in the same working relation therein, but the tumblers maybe round and pointed and work in round holes, vThe housing'l has v bores matching the holes a., in which are inserted plungers 23 having spiral springs 25 behind the same in said bores. The meeting ends of both plungers and tumblers conform to the rounded surfaces ofthe barrel and-housing where they meet, so that when .the said parts are inposition'and the key 3 is yentered the said plungers and tumblers are directly` opposite each other and flush with the surfaces of the parts in which they are housed, thus leaving the barrel 2 free to be rotated so that the key can operate the current switch or contact member -I- and whiehcan occur-only as said parts are thus operatively related and as shown in Fig. 2. Otherwise the position of the said locking parts is shown in section Fig. 7. In'this case, however, the key is removed and the plungers 23 have been pressed inward by springs 25 across the meeting line between barrel and housing and the barrel is locked against rotation. This position can only be relieved by the key which will force the tumblers 24 upinsuch measure as to release all the plungers from the barrel and free the barrel for rotation. The said plungers andV tumblers are of different lengths according to the construction of the key as is now common in tumbler locks and well known.

Operating connection through key 3 with the switch -I- is through a iat sided eX- tension 5 on the inner end of barrel 2 entering a slot in or. through the center of the switch and adapted to rotate the switch' when the barrel is rotated. Said extension 5 has a substantially T shaped end which enters a recess in base Gr and passes through a disk 17, Fig. 8, which has a slot 27 at an inclination to a vertical plane through which Asaid head is projected and against the inside of which it is adapted to lock when` the barrel 2 is rotated to removing position ,for the key., said disk is firmly fixed by 45 v other electual means of locking the barrelv screws to said base G and thus makes anin placeand keeping the switch open even if efforts to gain entrance by releasing the screws for fastening the case C were more or less successful. Further security for-said rase in any such attempts is provided in or by the blind dowel pin 22 between said case and'lcasel G, andl still other precautionary means may be employed if found desirable.

A spiral spring 20 is interposed between the k plate c and the switch -I- to hold the switch in right working relations on its support and invrespect to the electricalcontacts therefor. The key 3 has insulation 4 laid. upon itsV sides as a means of safety to the user.v

To start the engine insert key and turn to the ri ht for battery connection and to the left 'or magneto connection. The key cannot be removed while either. connection ycircuit closed inthe other.

is on and the engine is running. When the key is removed the barrel must be rotated to the only position wherein this is possible, and this throws the switch oli. of all contacts into neutral position.

A push button 15 and an auxiliary spring switch 14 are shown, and the main switch -I- has insulation on its top to prevent contact therewith. The said auxiliary switch is adapted to be depressed by push button 15 andmake Contact with stud 13 and thus establish the usual short eircuitin the battery connections to or with the sparking device (not shown) and cause sparking when the said circuit is broken. 'Ihe lock housing 1 may have more than one set of plungers 23, so that vthe key may be also removed at some other predetermined angle so as to be able to remove the key with all circuits op'en in one case and one particular For instance, the operator may wish to leave the machine standing'with engine running, in which case he turns the key to a second battery or magneto position and then withdraws the key. We then have this advantage a--in thel ordinary battery or magneto positions the key cannot be withdrawn or rattle out, but in 4 the second or auxiliary circuit the key may be withdrawn. This last mentioned circuit is sov arranged that it is closed only when the brake is set and upon release of brake will open or break circuit and stop the engine.

What I claim is:

lloo

1. In devices as described, a suitable base and casing, an electrical switch adapted to be oscillated in said casing, a barrel havingA a flat sided extension operatively engaged with said switch and projecting through the same, a keyremovably engaged in said barrel and means engaging said barrel adapted to be liberated by the insertion of said key and release the barrel for operation, and means to lock said flat sided extension to said base.

2. In electric switches, a suitable base and a casing fixed thereon, an electric switch in said casing, a barrel adapted to be turnedA axially having operative engagement at its inner end with said switch and means adapted to lock the said casing-securely to the said 4base when the key to said-barrel is withdrawn.

. 3. An electric switch mechanism comprising a base, a casing fixedon said base, a barrel in said easing adapted to receive a key, a switch engaged between its ends with the said barrel, and means adapted to lock thev said casing securely tothe said base when ,the key is withdrawn and to be unlocked only whenthe key for said lock is set at a certain predetermined position.

An electric switch, a casing 4therefor and afbase supporting said parts, a barrel sei in said casing operatively engaging said -lock the easing to the base when the ke is f' switch, means to lock the casing securely to withdrawn comprising an extension rlgid the base when the key is withdrawn and with sail barrel and adapted to be turned dwels in said casngxand base to prevent` into engagement with said base.l

5 turning of the casing to release the same In testimony whereof I affix my signature 1 5 from the base. in the presence of two witnesses.

5. A base and an electric switch and a lWARREN R. COX.

casing'covering the switch, lscrews securing Witnesses:

the casing to the base, a barrel set in said E. M. FISHER,

10 casing to operate said switch and means to F. C. MUssIM. 

